Suraksha Diagnostic (“Suraksha Clinic and Diagnostics”), a diagnostics chain in Eastern India, conducted an online awareness session on ovarian cancer as part of Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month in September. The session was led by Dr Asima Mukhopadhyay, a gynaecological oncologist with experience in clinical care, research, and education in women’s cancer.
During the session, Dr Mukhopadhyay shared insights into how early diagnosis can improve survival outcomes. Stage I diagnosis offers up to a 90 per cent cure rate, and stage II a 70 per cent five-year survival rate. In contrast, survival drops to 20 per cent or less for advanced-stage cases. She highlighted the silent nature of the disease, common symptoms often ignored, and the value of early medical intervention.
Ovarian cancer is one of the most common gynaecologic cancers with the highest mortality rate. It is the third most common cancer among women in India. According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the age-adjusted incidence rate is approximately 6.8 cases per 100,000 women. Globally, the incidence and mortality of ovarian cancer are projected to rise by 50 per cent, with most of the burden in low and lower-middle income settings. The advanced stage at diagnosis leads to poor survival rates and limited treatment options.
International health bodies have identified priority areas to reduce the burden and improve outcomes. These include faster access to early diagnostics such as ultrasound and CA-125 tests, training general practitioners and community health workers to recognise early symptoms, improving access to genetic testing and counselling, ensuring availability of high-quality cytoreductive surgery, providing targeted therapies such as PARP inhibitors, and access to clinical trials and survivorship programmes.
Dr Mukhopadhyay noted that while breast cancer awareness is widespread, ovarian cancer awareness remains low. She stated, “It is becoming a global pandemic now with the WHO projection of 50 per cent rise in incidence and mortality by 2024. In India around 40,000 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer every year of which 70 per cent of women die from it.” She added that non-descript symptoms often lead to late-stage diagnoses and that ovarian cancer has a higher mortality rate compared to other common cancers.
On the steps for diagnosis, Dr Mukhopadhyay explained the process, “Ultrasound gives an idea about further tests that need to be done. Next are conformity tests like CT Scan that guide biopsy which confirms the type of ovarian cancer. After that, genomics decide how to treat it.” She highlighted molecular diagnostics including HRD and BRCA testing to assess risk and guide treatment, particularly with PARP inhibitors. She concluded, “Be aware of the symptoms, go for diagnosis early. Be aware that you may have a problem, don’t be shy about it, report early.”
Speaking on the initiative, Ms Ritu Mittal, CEO and Managing Director of Suraksha Diagnostics, said, “At Suraksha Clinic and Diagnostics, we recognise that diagnostics must be complemented by education and preventive care. With the growing burden of ovarian cancer, particularly in Eastern India, our focus is on enabling early detection through awareness and timely intervention.”
Dr Somnath Chatterjee, Chairman and Joint Managing Director, added, “Early diagnosis and timely treatment are critical in improving ovarian cancer outcomes. At Suraksha Clinic and Diagnostics, we are committed to advancing accessible diagnostic services and fostering awareness to support women’s health across the region.”